Hello, Erin here and I want to talk about scrapping while on the road. My family tends to be rather nomadic.  We move around a lot, either just traveling or visiting, and then every few years, like this year, we make an international move.  Those of you who move around a lot know that scrapping while on the road can be very difficult.  In the past I have just taken a scrapping break, but this time I really wanted to find a way to keep up with my memory keeping while on the road.

The first step in successful scrapping while on the go is to decide what style you want to pursue.  Most people only use one style; traditional scrapping, pocket style, art journaling etc, and so this step is already taken care of.  Those of us who tend to jump around need to narrow our choices a bit.

I decided to go with pocket scrapping as it is simpler and requires minimal “extra” work, focusing mainly on the pictures and the stories.  I then had to decide if I wanted to go completely digital, or make hybrid pages.  I really like handwriting my journaling, especially in pocket scrapping.  I also like how “travel” books feel more authentic when hand journaled so I chose to go the hybrid route.  Now in all honesty, this is actually more difficult in the end – but going hybrid allowed for the times when I was not able to be on my computer, and I was able to keep scrapping even in those times.

In my Travel Prep I decided to incorporate two different methods of hybrid pocket scrapping

-print and scrap

-app scrapping – which I then printed and journaled in

Since there is so much to share I decided to split this into two different posts, this first post will focus on the print and scrap process only.

 

Here are some hints that I learned as I started this project.

1. Stay simple – when you travel you have limited space so you won’t be able to have loads of paper, cards and elements to choose from (especially if you are flying). It is best to choose one kit, or one color scheme with some simple embellishments you can use across the board (some neutral washi, staples, or paper elements printed from your kit.)

Before we left Thailand I decided to use cards and elements from Travel Notes.  I loved the playful colors and variety of cards.

2. Print some of your cards, in a variety of styles, ahead of time – particularly some journal cards so that you can hand write experiences as they occur.

I printed out several sheets of cards and elements on cardstock to use on our adventure.  I suggest you print out extras and multiples of cards you really like, you know, for those times when your toddler decided to rip one up while you are not looking, or your little artist makes a lovely picture across the journaling portion and your significant other spills his coffee across your meal tray on the airplane while you are journaling.  You know, just in case!

3. Keep all your goodies together in a safe place, but still accessible.

I made the mistake of not doing this, I had my printouts in my carry on, my scissors and glue had to be checked, and then my small bag of extras also ended up in the checked baggage, and to be honest I still have not found it (oops).  I did finally find some safety scissors that were allowed in the airport and cut out my bits so I could work on them on the flight, but I wish I had thought ahead and just made a little “scrap pack” for this purpose.  Now that the flying portion of our trip is done, I have made a bag with my scrapping goodies that I keep with me at the various rest houses and while in the car between stops. It works much better – so plan ahead!

4. Keep notes and journal as you go.

I started jotting what photos I took in my calendar and then journaling directly on cards as we go – this allows me to capture the emotions behind the moments as the happen.  This is really neat when traveling because so many things are unexpected – like our response to our first tollbooth in the US – (OMG it was so expensive!)  It also allows you to capture what other family members are thinking and feeling.  I handed a few cards to my kids after their first experience with the beach in years and let them draw or write what they were feeling.  It was neat to see how they interpreted things.

5. If you can, make a list ahead of time of the pictures you definitely want to get. It helps during the stress of the moment to have a list to refer back to.
6. Embrace the imperfect

Travel Pages DO NOT have to be magazine worthy.  If you really want to make an awesome page about a certain moment you can always go back when you have access to your supplies and tools and make another one.  The awesome thing about travel albums is that they capture the moment as it happens.  The imperfections are what make them special, and from my experience, my children, my parents, and just about everyone else, Loves the just as they are.  So relax and just have fun with it.

 

I still have not found my page protectors- they are somewhere in the mountain of luggage – but here are some of the pages I have worked on so far. Some are pretty much finished, others need a little something here or there – but they are started which is great when you live on the road.

This first two page spread was meant to capture “Where we have been” and the idea that a new adventure, or change is coming – the second page had space for Fav Spots and I had my children fill it in at the departure airport – but that card got coffee destroyed on the way, so I need to have the kids rewrite it (unfortunately 2 of 3 are sick right now so I will have to wait a few more days)

If one or your party is really excited about a purchase or find along the way – capture it.  Here my youngest was really excited about an owl pillow he found in one of the airports – he was so cute

And last, it is really common to capture your stops while traveling, but don’t forget to capture the traveling portion in between as well.  We took phone pictures while in the car of the signs we saw, or the reactions of people in the car.  The little things that are a part of any trip, but often forgotten.

And that is an introduction to print and scrap pocket pages while on the road.  Next time I will talk about how I used app scrapping to make the process go even quicker.

Feel free to share any additional tips you might have in the comments below, and have a good week!